2019 Lincoln Continental Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
67/100
#2 most-complained of 4 Continental years
The 2019 Lincoln Continental has a Complaint Index of 67, ranking 2nd-worst of 4 model years and earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 32 complaints and 3 recalls, led by structure & body issues (47% of complaints) including door latch and hood latch problems.
- Complaints
- 32
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 2 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 19.5
- 16.5 city / 24.5 hwy
Top 2019 Lincoln Continental problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Structure & Body15 (47%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras6 (19%)
- Electrical System5 (16%)
- Other4 (13%)
- Steering3 (9%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (6%)
- Brakes1 (3%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (3%)
What owners report
- Owners report the steering wheel sitting turned 30-45 degrees off-center while driving, forcing them to compensate to stay in the lane.
- Some describe the hood suddenly flying open at highway speed due to a faulty secondary hood safety latch, even after repair attempts.
- A dashboard warning stating "Door May Open Unexpectedly" appeared at 68-70 MPH along with an illuminated powertrain warning light, at 64,800 miles.
- Keyless entry systems have locked owners out of the rear doors after sitting in the car during bad weather, with no way to release the locks remotely.
- The vehicle sometimes would not start and displayed a "No Key Detected" message, though it started normally at other times.
- Backup camera images have appeared foggy, distorted, or cloudy while reversing, tied to a recall for which repair parts were reported unavailable for extended periods.
2019 Lincoln Continental recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V442000Jun 27, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras200,237 vehicles
Back over prevention:software
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
Risk: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.
- NHTSA 22V644000Aug 26, 2022Collision Avoidance & Cameras277,040 vehicles
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2020 F-Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and 2017-2020 Lincoln Continental vehicles equipped with the 360-degree camera system. Degradation of the camera's anit-reflective lens coating can lead to a foggy or cloudy rearview camera image.
Risk: Lack of a clear rearview camera image can reduce the driver's visibility of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 14, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S51.
- NHTSA 19V077000Feb 11, 2019Structure & Body27,609 vehicles
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Lincoln Continental vehicles. The door latch pawl motors may not function properly, possibly resulting in a door latch not fully engaging.
Risk: A door latch that is not fully engaged may result in a door opening while driving, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the latch assemblies on all four doors, free of charge. The recall began October 14, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S03.
2019 Lincoln Continental fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16.5 MPG
- Highway
- 24.5 MPG
- Combined
- 19.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,325
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2019 compared with other Continental years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 Lincoln Continental reliable?
- NHTSA data shows the 2019 Continental has a Complaint Index of 67 and ranks 2nd-worst among the 4 model years with data, giving it a Caution verdict relative to other Continental years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2019 Lincoln Continental?
- Structure & body complaints make up 47% of reports, mostly involving door and hood latches, followed by collision avoidance/camera issues (19%) and electrical system problems (16%).
- Does the 2019 Lincoln Continental have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2019 Continental: a rearview camera software update, a 360-degree camera degradation issue, and a door latch pawl motor recall. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2019 Continental compare to other years?
- The 2017 Continental has a Complaint Index of 100 and is rated Avoid, the 2018 sits at 33 and is rated Good, and the 2020 has an index of 0 and is rated Best, making 2019 the second-worst year.
- What mileage do problems typically appear at on the 2019 Continental?
- Median mileage at failure across all reported problem areas is 26,000 miles, though structure & body issues showed up at a median of 34,000 miles.